What Is a Hole-in-One on a Par-4 Called?

A hole-in-one on a par-4 is called ... a hole-in-one. Or an ace. It can be called by a couple other terms. And we'll tell you what those other terms are. But we'll also explain why no golfers actually use those other terms.

First, a little background. Holes-in-one, also known as aces, usually happen on par-3 holes because those are the shorter holes on a golf course. Par-4 holes are lengthier than par-3 holes, which makes holing out for an ace on a par-4 hole far more difficult than on a par-3 hole. (And making a hole-in-one on a par-3 is already very, very hard!)

Most of us recreational golfers go our entire golfing careers without scoring an ace on a par-3, much less a par-4. Par-4 aces do happen in the golf world, but are exceedingly rare. As of this writing, for example, in the entire history of the PGA Tour there has been only one known ace on a par-4 hole.

Now, back to the question at hand: What do you call a hole-in-one on a par-4 hole? The alternate terms that no golfers actually use for this score are double eagle and albatross. Those two terms are synonyms of each other, with the exact same meanings: They are terms for scoring 3-under par on one hole.

If you make a score of 2 on a par-5 hole, you have scored a double eagle/albatross. And making a 2 on a par-5 is something else that is very rare in golf.

A score of 1 on a par-4 hole is 3-under par on one hole, which means that it is a double eagle/albatross.

So why do no golfers actually use those terms for this score? Because why would you call a 1 on a par-4 a double eagle or albatross when you could call it a hole-in-one! Or ace. The hole-in-one is the most exciting thing that ever happens to most golfers lucky enough to score one. Nobody is going to run to his buddies yelling about scoring a double eagle when they could scream out, "I just made a hole-in-one!" Besides, hole-in-one and ace convey the most-important information: That your first stroke on the hole wound up going into the cup.

Yes, double eagle and albatross are accurate terms for a score of 1 on a par-4 hole. But the far, far better terms, and the terms than golfers actually use for this score, are hole-in-one and ace.

Related terms:

• What is the golf score called a 'turkey'?
• Is there a golf score called the triple eagle?
• Explaining the 'condor' golf score

Sources:
(Book titles are affiliate links; commissions earned)
Davies, Peter. The Historical Dictionary of Golfing Terms, 1993, Robson Books.
Merriam-Webster. The Merriam-Webster Dictionary, 2022.
PGA Tour. 2020-21 PGA Tour Media Guide, All-Time Records, Holes-in-One.